USA/INTERNATIONAL. Exceptional frontline and back of house employees in the world of travel food & beverage were honoured during the Airport Food & Beverage (FAB) + Hospitality Conference at the Ontario Convention Center today.
The FAB Superstars Awards, now in their fourth year, highlight the doers, the greeters, the people whose small, thoughtful touches and acts of service quietly make passenger journeys more pleasurable and memorable.
Introducing the awards, The Moodie Davitt Report Founder & Chairman Martin Moodie said: “You know, this just might be my favourite part of FAB.
“The FAB Superstars Awards recognises the efforts and achievements of frontline and back of house staff all over the globe in our demanding, fast-paced and often stressful travel food & beverage world.
“The doers, the greeters, the front of housers, the behind the sceners, the teams, the individuals, the people whose small, thoughtful touches and acts of service quietly make their colleagues’ and managers’ jobs easier and passengers’ journeys more pleasurable and memorable.
“We looked at every entry with careful, measured consideration. In truth each and every nomination of these very special teams and individuals is a winner in itself.
“So it’s been an invidious as well as joyous task selecting our winners. But as you will see, these awards are about heart and soul, about people whose stories have not only impressed but moved us.”
The overall winner was Brodie Leslie, a Bartender and Coffee Barista who works for Emirates Leisure Retail (ELR) at Launceston Airport in Tasmania, Australia. Brodie has Down Syndrome.
Moodie read out the following glowing tribute from ELR before calling up MMI & ELR CEO Tyrone Reid to collect the award on Brodie’s behalf.
“This winner is the total go-getter of the team. From the moment he started, his passion for the food and hospitality industry has been crystal clear, and his infectious enthusiasm is downright contagious. He is constantly seeking out new skills and training to take his game to the next level. Starting in the back of house, he’s worked his tail off to make his dream of being customer-facing a reality.
“Now, he’s crushing it behind the bar and even honing his coffee skills, leaving no stone unturned in his pursuit of greatness. His achievements have even landed him in the national spotlight, with the media singing his praises and showcasing his story as a shining example of the incredible potential of the Down Syndrome community.
“Perhaps most impressive, his success has opened the door for others, inspiring the company to streamline their onboarding and training processes to create more opportunities for people outside the airport space.”
The full 2024 FAB Superstars roll of honour:
Overall FAB Superstars winner: Brodie Leslie – Launceston Airport, Emirates Leisure Retail – Bartender and Coffee Barista
Star Team – Front of House
Americas: Joe & The Juice team – Vancouver International Airport, Hudson by Avolta
Asia Pacific: Campos Coffee team – Sydney Airport, Lagardère Travel Retail
Europe: Rhodes Starbucks and Burger King teams – Rhodes International Airport Diagoras, SSP Hellas
Middle East and Africa: Asian Street Kitchen – Dubai International Airport, Emirates Leisure Retail & MMI
Star Team – Back of House
Americas: Food & Beverage team – Denver International Airport, HMSHost by Avolta
Asia Pacific: Back of House Malaysia – Kuala Lumpur International Airport, SSP Asia Pacific
Europe: The Concept Development Team – SSP UK & Ireland
Middle East and Africa: Asian Street Kitchen – Dubai International Airport, Emirates Leisure Retail & MMI
Star Individuals – Front of House
Americas: Daniela Solís – Guadalajara Airport Mexico, Areas – General Manager F&B
Asia Pacific: Pham Nhu Quan – Da Nang International Airport, Avolta – Operations Manager
Europe (two winners): Cigdem Baymaz – Sabiha Gökçen International Airport, Avolta – Store Manager; and Fábio Nunes – Faro International Airport, Areas Iberia – Pizza Hut Manager
Europe (Highly Commended): Tatiana Manganaro – Milan Malpensa Airport, Avolta – Associate; and Roz Friel – Glasgow, SSP UK & Ireland – Team Member
Middle East and Africa: Jenelyn Gallardo Patubo – Zayed International Airport, SSP Emirates – Restaurant Manager
Middle East and Africa (Highly Commended): Jayson Garpao – Zayed International Airport, Emirates Leisure Retail & MMI – Maestro Shift Leader
Star Individuals – Back of House
Americas: Alvin Coronel – Oakland International Airport, SSP America – Warehouse Associate
Americas (Highly Commended): Manny Gagaoudakis – Montréal-Trudeau International Airport, SSP America – Commissary and Production Manager
Asia Pacific (two winners): Siewlay Chew – Kuala Lumpur International Airport, SSP Asia Pacific – Head of Business Development; and Brodie Leslie – Launceston Airport, Emirates Leisure Retail – Bartender and Coffee Barista
Asia Pacific (Highly Commended): Marco Odiardo – Multiple Airports, Lagardère Travel Retail – Operations Manager; and Pham Hai Yen – Noi Bai International Airport, Avolta – QA Supervisor
Europe: Ronan Casey – Arlanda Airport, Avolta – Warehouse Manager
Middle East & Africa: Dony Mathew – Zayed International Airport, SSP Emirates – Head Chef
Middle East & Africa (Highly Commended): Chef Tins Joy – Dubai International Airport, Emirates Leisure Retail & MMI – Chef De Partie; and Bikas Bashyal – Hamad International Airport, QASSP – Cook ✈
